Giving Research

Poor people are naturally more charitable than the rich, according to researchers at the University of California at Berkeley. They gave subjects credits, worth actual money, and the choice of keeping them or sharing them with an anonymous partner in another room. People who were ranked at the upper end of the socioeconomic scale gave away nearly 50% less than did those at the bottom.

Guns in Churches

A federal judge in Georgia has refused to stop the new state law from going into effect that makes it a crime to carry a gun into church. District Judge Ashley Royal will reveal his decision about the constitutionality of the law later. A lawsuit was filed by GeorgiaCarry.Org and Thomaston's Baptist Tabernacle challenging the law as a violation of the Second Amendment.

Calls for Televangelist to Testify

Activists are calling on Pat Robertson to testify at the Charles Taylor war crimes trial. The founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network has connection with former Liberian president and held mining interests in Liberia when Mr. Taylor was president. Robertson's name has come up at the trial in the Hague. Taylor has denied the charges against him. One of the prosecutors says Robertson sunk millions of dollars into the mine that went directly to Taylor. A Virginia paper has suggested airplanes from Robertson's Operation Blessing were used to bring supplies to his diamond mine rather than for humanitarian aid.

Burning the Quran

A Gainesville church wanting to burn copies of the Quran has been denied a burn permit by city officials. The Dove World Outreach Center planned the bonfire to take place on the anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attacks. Senior pastor Terry Jones has written a book called Islam is of the Devil and email from him suggests his congregation will still hold the book burning. The church faces a fine if it goes ahead with the event.